Abba - Cassandra

This performance of Cassandra is from the West German tv program Show Express broadcast live from Saarlandhalle, Saarbrucken at 7.30pm on November 11 1982. Abba performed The Day Before You Came, Cassandra and Under Attack. Cassandra was recorded on August 2 1982 and released as the B-side to 'The Day Before You Came' on 18 October 1982. Abba had originally intended to record a new album, as shown by this press release from Polar Music on June 14 1982: "Abba have been in the studio during May and 3 new LP-tracks are finished: 'You Owe Me One', 'Just Like That' and 'I Am The City'. Abba will be back in the studio in August to record 3 or 4 new songs. Our intention is to release a new single shortly before the release of the planned double-LP with all Abba's singles. There will not be a brand new Abba-LP this year, but there will definitely be such a new LP during 1983. Even if the Abba members from time to time are doing things on their own, there is no intention whatsoever to break up the group. We wish you all a very nice and sunny summer!" The songs recorded in August 1982 were 'Cassandra', 'Under Attack' and 'The Day Before You Came' giving 6 tracks towards their next album. 'The Day Before You Came' was the last song Abba ever recorded. Sound engineer Michael Tretow recalls that Agnetha performed the lead without the lights on and said "the mood had become sad and everybody in the studio knew that this was the end". Benny recalls: "We intended to write the musical Chess with Tim Rice for a year or two and then go back to Abba. But it all took longer than we thought and by the time we opened in the West End in Spring 1986 four years had passed. And then we said 'What's the point?' We talked to the girls and they said 'No we're fine. We think this is good.' They'd done their own albums and they were ok with it too." Bjorn recalls: "The idea was for Abba to take a break for a while and then get back together again. I think the group that never came back is something mystical and wonderful." Agnetha said: "We had reached a dividing line. It was time for all of us to go our separate ways. Perhaps in the back of our minds we thought that if Bjorn and Benny did any suitable songs we might work together again." Cassandra means "she who entangles men" in Greek mythology. Apollo gave her the gift of prophecy in return for her love - she accepted but refused his love. Apollo then placed a curse on her so that she was doomed to tell the truth, but never to be believed. Cassandra foresaw the destruction of Troy by the Greeks when they built a huge wooden horse and pretended to sail away. Cassandra warned the Trojans the horse would be the downfall of the city but she was ignored. The Trojan pulled the giant wooden horse inside their city as a victory trophy. Late that night the Greek force crept out of the horse and opened the gates for the rest of the Greek army, which had sailed back under cover of night, to enter and destroy the city of Troy and win the war. Down in the street they're all singing and shouting Staying alive though the city is dead Hiding their shame behind hollow laughter While you are crying alone on your bed Pity, Cassandra that no-one believed you But then again you were lost from the start Now we must suffer and sell our secrets Bargain, playing smart aching in our hearts Sorry Cassandra I misunderstood Now the last day is dawning Some of us wanted but none of us would Listen to words of warning But on the darkest of nights Nobody knew how to fight And we were caught in our sleep Sorry Cassandra I didn't believe You really had the power I only saw it as dreams you would weave Until the final hour So in the morning your ship will be sailing Now that your father and sister are gone There is no reason for you to linger You're grieving deeply but still moving on You know the future is casting a shadow No-one else sees it but you know your fate Packing your bags being slow and thorough Knowing though you're late that ship is sure to wait Sorry Cassandra I misunderstood Now the last day is dawning Some of us wanted but none of us would Listen to words of warning But on the darkest of nights Nobody knew how to fight And we were caught in our sleep Sorry Cassandra I didn't believe You really had the power I only saw it as dreams you would weave Until the final hour I watched her ship leaving harbour at sunrise Sails almost slack in the cool morning rain She stood on deck just a tiny figure Rigid and restrained blue eyes filled with pain Sorry Cassandra I misunderstood Now the last day is dawning Some of us wanted but none of us would Listen to words of warning But on the darkest of nights Nobody knew how to fight And we were caught in our sleep Sorry Cassandra I didn't believe You really had the power I only saw it as dreams you would weave Until the final hour Im sorry Cassandra Im sorry Cassandra Im sorry Cassandra...